Posts Tagged ‘Telegraph Hill’

For those of us living in San Francisco, it’s no surprise the price of housing is a big concern both locally and nationwide. San Francisco in fact has been the country’s most expensive rental market (for one bedroom units) since August 2014 when our City by the Bay claimed the top spot over New York City.

Thanks to our friends at Trulia, here’s a breakdown of the San Francisco’s neighborhoods where rents are highest:

You may recall the story we published in September where we analyzed the financial question of Buying vs Renting and revealed this gem: Buying… is a better financial decision even if you could rent for free! Despite early indicators showing our local market could be leveling off, don’t expect prices to decrease unless we see an actual decrease in demand.

When writer Bayard Taylor arrived in San Francisco by ship in the summer of 1849 and began chronicling the Gold Rush economy in his dispatches for the New-York Daily Tribune, he feared nobody would believe him. The imbalance of supply and demand for basic essentials — food, tools, clothing, equipment — was riding high, driving prices to astronomical levels–

“There were reports of canteens charging a dollar for a slice of bread or two if it was buttered, the equivalent of $56. A dozen eggs might cost you $90 at today’s prices; a pick axe would be the equivalent of $1,500; a pound of coffee $1,200 and a pair of boots as much as $3,000…” – Smithsonian

In today’s economy — booming not with gold but with technology — even San Francisco locals are in disbelief to learn the premiums being paid for another commodity in short supply: real estate. In sharp contrast with current times, mid-19th century SF was a largely rural setting with abundant raw land awaiting the development of businesses, homes and infrastructure. Now, there’s practically nowhere to build up — and when it comes to homes prices here in one of America’s richest cities, the sky is the limit.

Just for fun, let’s take a look at some Gold Rush era properties that have hit the market in recent years and their inflation adjusted prices. They’ll have you wishing you could travel back in time!